l ome vendors, according to Couch’s research, may have been paid twice for the same services.

Couch and other opponents, assembled by the Smarter Bridge Committee, will make their case to the Legislative Oversight on Columbia River Crossing committee. The committee will advise Oregon lawmakers as they determine the state’s financial contribution toward a new Interstate 5 bridge between Washington and Oregon.

The federal government approved the $3 billion-plus project’s “record of decision,” which led to the start of preliminary construction work late last year. The 10-lane bridge will include a light-rail line and pedestrian and bicycle paths.

Couch wants project leaders from the two states’ transportation departments to restart the bridge’s design process. The current plans, on which governments have spent around $130 million, have led to cost overruns and a faulty design. Reconfiguring the bridge with a new height alone could cost $150 million, according to project organizers.

“When you put my findings together with what others have found, you realize there are significant problems,” Couch said.

Couch is a third-party consultant who’s researching the bridge contracts for David Madore, a Vancouver business operator who is leading efforts to oppose tolls that would help fund a new I-5 bridge.

Washington Department of Transportation officials studied some of Couch’s claims in January and February, said spokeswoman Anne Pressentin in an email. They found that no payments were duplicated.

“We are concerned by Ms. Couch’s report and public statements suggesting that the CRC team has mismanaged the CRC project and that the project lacks accountability, transparency and oversight,” wrote David Dye and Bob Covington, two senior Washington transportation department officials. “We found in our review quite the opposite.”

Fast Fact

The meeting takes place at 9 a.m. March 16 at Metro’s headquarters, 600 N.E. Grand Ave.